2001 Toyota Camry

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 272 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

146 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control32
1907
Air Bags18
1219
Tires14
112
Engine and Engine Cooling14
122
Air Bags › Frontal14
13010
Suspension10
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine10
022
Engine9
120
Electrical System9
020
Seats8
305

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Structure › Frame and Members01V072000
Filed Mar 5, 2001545 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Vehicle Speed Control01V012000
Filed Jan 16, 200153,061 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND V6 ENGINES, AND BUILT AT ONE OF TWO LINES AT THE KENTUCKY PLANT. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HOUSING COULD BE DEFORMED AT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR-TO-THROTTLE BODY CONNECTION. THE ACCELERATOR INNER-CABLE COULD WEAR AWAY AND EVENTUALLY BREAK.

Risk. THIS COULD ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE OR REMAIN IN ITS MOST RECENT POSITION REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 23, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 13, 2025NY

I do not feel engine braking effect when I apply brake instead I have to press brake hard to hold until engine idles. It is a serious issue in older cars. My car has 153000 miles.

EngineCrash
Filed Aug 27, 2024MA

Problem: Unintended Acceleration, air conditioner operating. Incident Scenario: Approaching driveway, stopped to allow pedestrian to pass. Resumed low speed turn into driveway, Abrupt acceleration of vehicle, launching vehicle over granite curb and into nearby tree. Damage: Passenger R.Front Fender, Passenger Headlamp Assy;Lower Control Arm Assy, Front Bumper cover, Passenger wheel rim bent, tire deflated. Unintended vehicle acceleration is a serious safety defect and can occur when the Idle Air Control Valve is defective or is provided incorrect engine rpm signal from Engine Control Computer causing sudden vehicle acceleration.

Power Train
Filed Apr 3, 2024FL

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 31, 2024GA

Air bag light is on and won’t go off. Toyota service department said the sensor was discontinued no longer available to make the repair.

Steering
Filed Nov 11, 2023AR

After an alignment my steering wheel is not straight. If held straight, the car goes off the road to the right. Took it back, now it goes off to the left. Sitting still the steering wheel will turn 360 degrees around and hangs in spots when turning it back.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 11, 2020PA

SPEED SENSOR MELTED WITH PLUG AND KEPT BLOWING 10A GAUGE FUSE WITCH GAUGE STOPS WORKING WINDOWS WON'T GO DOWN AND BATTERY WILL DIE IF NOT HANDLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK THIS WILL HAPPEN ONCE YOU TURN THE KEY JUST TURN THE KEY THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTED JUST THE KEY WAS TURNED INTO THE ON POSITION THEN THE FUSE WILL AUTOMATICALLY POP

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 28, 2019200,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 201985,300 milesOK

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DR. S AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS MAKING THIS LOUD NOISE AND THE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BUT IT HAD A CRUNCHY NOISE AND I KNEW THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT THE SAME WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW AND I HAD TO GO BUY DOT 3 AND PUT IT IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. I KEPT DRIVING IT UNTIL I COULD FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS AN WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A BRAKE BOOSTER, BUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 87,546 MILE'S ON IT.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 27, 2018CA

DMV VISIT AND RECORDS AS OF 09/27/2018-THUR.PLEASE READ BELOW. CURRENTLY IN 2018, AND A FEW YEARS IN THE PAST DMV PULL OUT RECORDS FOR DIFFERENT CAR UNDER MY OWNERSHIP> MY CAR IS 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION,AIRBAGS,CRUISE CONTROL, POWER STEERING WHEEL, UPDATED LEATHER SEAT, MOBILE SEATS AND MUCH MORE. IT IS SILVER/PLATINUM-METALLIC COLOR AND ETC. DMV EMPLOYEE PER TODAY'S VISIT 9/27/2018 REFUSING TO GIVE ME A PAPERWORK OR TO COOPERATE WITH THE STATE RULES TO THE TRUE ID OF THE OWNERSHIP(TANGIBLE OWNERSHIP-I PAID CASH FOR MY CAR IN 2001). SHE (WOMAN-WORKER)TOLD ME AT DMV OFFICE REDWOOD CITY,CA 94063 APPOINTMENT # B0039, APPROX WINDOW 9 SERVICE TIME2:40PM; THAT DMV WILL NOT CHANGE NOR UPDATE NOR TO CORRECT RECORDS - BUT THE WRONGFUL ENTRY INTO DMV RECORDS MAKES PROPERTY OWNER TO SUFFER WITH THE ID CASES THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER RE DEPARTMENTS OF USA. IT AFFECTS MY PERSONAL HOLDINGS VALUE AND MY OWN FINANCIAL STABILITY AND PERSONAL SAFETY - RECALLS FOR 2000 ARE DIFFERENT TO RECALLS OF 2001-DUE TO MAJOR UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SUBJECT CAR WITH THE APPROVAL OF JUDICIAL COURT SYSTEM IN 2001 AND LATER. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE IS STATIONED, I AM SEARCHING FOR THE TRUE ANSWERS OF THE TITLE ON MY CAR. HOW TO PROVE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES - POLICE/LOT SECURITIES THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN TAKING CARE OF AND FREE OF ANY PAYMENTS. I AM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE DUE TO SCRUTANY OF EMPLOYEES OF DMV -SAN MATEO COUNTY, CITY OF REDWOOD CITY. BY THE WAY M

Structure › BodyCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 10, 2018130,000 milesCA

THIS IS NOT A TAKAMA RECALL COMPLAIN. IT IS REGARDING MY CAR THAT HAS BEEN ID' THAT IT IS 2000 YEAR MAKE CAR, THE LOCAL DMV DID MADE AN INSPECTION AND CONCLUSION WAS THAT IS IT 2000 - DUE TO SOME STICKERS EVERYWHERE - ON THE DOOR, ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND OTHER PLACES.

Engine
Filed Aug 21, 201840,000 milesIA

VEHICLE 'RACES' OUT OF CONTROL WHILE STATIONARY AND IN GEAR, BOTH IN GARAGE AND OUTSIDE OF GARAGE PREPARING TO ENTER. SOLUTION: STEP ON BRAKE ON HARD AS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT COLLISION AND TURN OFF IGNITION. ENGINE NO LONGER 'RACES' WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON AGAIN. 3 OCCURRENCES IN PAST 12 MONTHS. NO FURTHER DOCUMENTATION. SPOUSE WAS PRESENT ON ONE OCCASION.

Suspension
Filed Nov 29, 201730 milesCA

TWO DAYS BACK WHEN I WAS TRYING TO TAKE MY CAR OUT I HEARD SOME DIFFERENT SOUND.. THEN I STOPPED CAR AND OBSERVED THAT IT IS FLAT TIRE.. I TOOK THE TIRE OUT AND OBSERVED THAT THE TIRE GOT CUT BECAUSE THE SHOCK COIL SPRING GOT BROKEN INTO TWO AND THE SHARP EDGE OF THE SPRING IS CUTTING THE TIRE.. LUCKILY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY .. A DAY BEFORE THAT I VISITED SANT CRUZ WITH FAMILY ( WIFE AND TWO KIDS ).. IF IT WAS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN HELPLESS SITUATION.. I REPLACED ALL THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS ON NEXT DAY BY TOWING THE VEHICLE. TIRE HAS MORE THAN THREE CUTS.. I AM NOT SURE FROM HOW LONG THE SHARP EDGE SPRING WAS TOUCHING THE TIRE.

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 18, 2017AZ

THE SEAT BELTS DON'T BUCKLE IN THE LATCH. ALL FIVE BUCKLE NOT WORKING.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 16, 2017265,765 milesGA

THE LIGHT FOR AIRBAG CAME ON DASHBOARD

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 15, 2017150,000 milesKY

MY VEHICLE WAS TURNING LEFT ON A CITY STREET. ITS RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE IN THE INTERSECTION. THAT IMPACT SPUN THE VEHICLE AROUND WHERE IT WAS ONCE AGAIN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. SO, BY THE TIME IT WAS OVER, THE PASSENGER-SIDE QUARTER PANEL, PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR, AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 201682,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AN ABNORMAL REVVING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED BY TURNING INTO A PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 13, 2016200,000 milesNC

I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS CAR , AND I HAVE LOVED IT UNTIL THE DAY THE ACCELERATOR DIDN'T WORK. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN, NOT USING THE ACCELERATOR UNTIL I REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. I COASTED INTO THE NEAREST TURNOFF. THE CAR WAS RUNNING , I PUT IT INTO" PARK", WHILE STILL RUNNING I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING (FLOORMATS) BLOCKING THE PEDAL. THERE WAS NOTHING. I TRIED MASHING IT AS HARD AS I COULD, NO MOVEMENT. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED. THE PEDAL WAS OK, ACCELERATED JUST FINE. I BELIEVE I REBOOTED THE COMPUTER. I CAREFULLY DROVE TO MY MECHANIC, HE CHECKED THE "PLATES" AND OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE , THEY ADVISED TAKING IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT I COULD BRING IT IN TO BE CHECKED. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR THAT DISTANCE OVER 200 MILES ROUNDTRIP. I LATER RECEIVED A SMALL CHECK FROM "TOYOTA ECONOMIC LOSS SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR " FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT. I DID NOT CASH IT. I WAS ADVISED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SELL IT BUT ETHICALLY CAN NOT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT SOMEBODY KILLED OR INJURED IN IT. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND A SOLUTION. BUT THEY CLAIM THIS PROBLEM COULDN'T HAPPEN AND WERE NOT HELPFUL. IT COULD BE SOLD TO A JUNK YARD AT A LOSS BUT AGAIN, IT COULD BE SOLD FROM THERE AND DRIVEN.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 201540,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 1, 2015270,000 milesNM

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED, I STEERED IT TO THE ROADSIDE TO CALL FOR A TOW. SPEAKING WITH INSURANCE TOW SERVICE THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. AS I SUPPLIED INFORMATION THE SMOKE VOLUME INCREASED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. SMOKE VOLUME CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND A CRACKLING/BURNING SOUND STARTED. I TOLD THE AGENT I HAVE TO GO AND CALLED 911. I SUPPLIED DETAILS OF THE AREA WHERE THE INCREASING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM, THE CAR LOCATION AND MY STATUS. IN THE CAR I PULLED THE HOOD LEVER, WENT OUTSIDE AND STOPPED SHORT OF OPENING THE HOOD. REALIZING I HAD NO MEANS TO PUT OUT THE INCREASING FIRE I HAD TO WATCH MY CAR BURN UNTIL FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED. I WALK A DISTANCE AWAY AND WAITED, WHILE THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WENT UP IN SMOKE....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF UPDATED 11/06/2017*CN

Unknown or Other
Filed May 15, 201590,000 milesNH

MY CAR HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST. MY MECHANIC HAS DONE EVERYTHING UNDER CODE P0401-EGR INSUFFICIENT FLOW AND HAS SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA BUT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IN SPEAKING WITH OTHERS AND READING MANY ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WE WONDER WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. DRIVING ILLEGALLY IS TERRIBLE, BUT SOME OF US WHO ARE POOR, ARE FORCED TO DO SO. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOES NOTHING TO HELP US TOYOTA OWNERS.

20 of 272 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202450100Routine
202364220Do not drive
202260110Routine
2021156121Fatalities reported
2020273320Above average
2019394610Above average
2018738840Above average
2017148350Routine
2016183220Routine
2015271131Fatalities reported
2014455341Fatalities reported
2013274211Fatalities reported
2012589260High concern
2011599570High concern
2010602910High concern
20091,29310192Fatalities reported
20089338130High concern
20072,88610644Fatalities reported
2006317542Fatalities reported
20057215106Fatalities reported
20046383115Fatalities reported
20037801105Fatalities reported
200295342012Fatalities reported
2001 — this page2724113Fatalities reported
20004544283Fatalities reported
19995012422Fatalities reported
19986003310High concern
19975554273Fatalities reported
1996417785Fatalities reported
19953035111Fatalities reported
19942873108Fatalities reported
19932602102Fatalities reported
19925652190Above average
19911491101Fatalities reported
1990134230Routine

Compare every Camry year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.